Armrest support bracket for motorized vehicles

ABSTRACT

A support bracket for an armrest assembly having a pull-handle or pull-cup is provided for use in a motorized vehicle. The support bracket includes a generally horizontal support member configured to extend, at least in part, adjacent to or through an internal cavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup. The support bracket also includes at least two, but preferably three leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at respective first ends to the support member. Each leg member extends downward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at a respective second end to an inner support panel. The leg members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition, and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition. The leg members create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantially vertical force.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to door assemblies for motorizedvehicles, and more specifically to mechanisms for limiting the verticaldeflection of vehicle door armrest assemblies, while allowing forhorizontal deformation under certain predetermined lateral loadingconditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most motorized vehicles include an armrest that extends from theinterior surface of each vehicle door assembly. The armrest is typicallypart of a decorative trim assembly on the inner panel of the doorassembly, and is often integrated with a door latch release lever and apull-handle or pull-cup feature used to open and close the doorassembly. The majority of conventional armrest assemblies areself-contained units that are adapted to be positively attached to thedoor inner panel or other structural components of the vehicle byfasteners, for example, bolts, push pins, or heat stakes. The armrest isintended, in part, to provide a surface on which a vehicle occupantseated adjacent the door may rest the lower extremities of his or herarm.

A door pull-handle or pull-cup feature is typically employed to pull avehicle door assembly from an open position to a closed position oncethe occupant has entered the vehicle, and vice-versa while the occupantalights from the vehicle. The door pull-handle or pull-cup feature canalso be used as a support surface for the occupant, which can occur, forexample, during ingress/egress to a truck, van, or large sport utilityvehicle (SUV) where the passenger compartment is often positioned abovethe waist line of a typical occupant. Similarly, the armrest assembly,including the pull-handle/pull-cup, is sometimes used to support theentire weight of an occupant—e.g., when used as a standing platform foraccess to the vehicle roof. Depending upon the degree of reliance by theoccupant on the armrest assembly as a support, as well as the occupant'smass and manner of loading the armrest assembly, it is possible thatsubstantial vertical and horizontal loads can be generated on thearmrest assembly and pull-handle/pull-cup feature.

Armrest assemblies are often relatively rigid and structurally robust inorder to withstand horizontal and vertical loads applied during everydayuse of the vehicle. However, the deformability of the armrest and,correspondingly, the armrest's ability to absorb kinetic energy impartedthereto is diminished as the rigidity of the armrest is increased. Incontrast, the armrest may be constructed using softer, more compliantmaterials so that it will yield or deform under the force of impact witha foreign or local object. However, the resiliency and durability of thearmrest assembly for normal use may diminish with an overly compliantconstruction. Ideally, the armrest should deform in a manner to absorbthe impact energy imparted thereto, while maintaining a sufficientlyresilient and robust configuration for everyday use purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a support bracketfor an armrest assembly is provided for use with a motorized vehicle.The armrest assembly includes a pull-handle or a pull-cup defining aninternal cavity therein. The support bracket includes a support memberconfigured to mate with the armrest assembly. The support bracket ispreferably elongated longitudinally along the interior surface of thevehicle in a generally horizontal manner. It is further desirable that aportion of the support member extend adjacent to, or through an internalcavity of, the pull-handle/pull-cup.

The support bracket also includes at least two, but preferably three legmembers spaced apart from one another and operatively attached atrespective first ends to the support member. Each leg member extendsdownward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at arespective second end to the vehicle interior surface. For example, eachleg member preferably extends downward from the support member at anangle of less than 45 degrees from a vertical axis extending through thesecond end. Ideally, each of the leg members attaches to the vehicleinterior surface via an attachment portion extending generallyvertically from the second end thereof. As an alternative, each of theleg members preferably forms a J-hook shape between the first and secondends.

The leg members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimumvertical loading condition, and controllably deform under apredetermined threshold lateral loading condition. Ideally, the legmembers create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted tothe armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantiallyvertical force. It is also preferred that the support member and thevarious leg members each consists of a substantially flat, elongatedmetallic bar.

According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, a doorassembly is provided that is secured, hinged, or attached to the body ofa motorized vehicle to selectively transition from a closed position toan open position. The door assembly includes an inner support panel witha trim panel operatively attached thereto. Additionally, an armrestassembly is elongated longitudinally along the trim panel relative tothe vehicle and extends inward therefrom. The armrest assembly includesa pull-handle or a pull-cup feature defining an internal cavity therein.

A support bracket with a generally horizontal support member and threeor more leg members is also included. A portion of the support member isconfigured to extend adjacent to or through the internal cavity. The legmembers are spaced apart from one another, and operatively attached at arespective first end to the support member. The leg members extenddownward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at arespective second end to the inner support panel of the door assembly.The leg members are sufficiently spaced apart from one another toreceive a layer of foam or plastic therebetween. The leg members areconfigured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loadingcondition, and controllably deform under a predetermined thresholdlateral loading condition. Ideally, the leg members create a load pathfor transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to theinterior surface as a substantially vertical force.

According to another additional embodiment of the present invention, amotorized vehicle is provided. A door assembly is attached to thevehicle to selectively transition from a closed position to an openposition. The door assembly includes an inner support panel with a trimpanel operatively attached thereto. An armrest assembly is attached ormounted to the trim panel and extends inward therefrom. The armrestassembly has a pull-handle with an internal cavity. A support bracketwith a generally horizontal support member and three or more leg membersis also included. A portion of the support member extends through theinternal cavity of the pull-handle. The leg members are spaced apartfrom one another, and attached at a respective first end to the supportmember. The leg members extend downward from the support member in anoblique manner to attach at a respective second end to the inner supportpanel of the door assembly. The leg members are sufficiently spacedapart from one another to receive a layer of foam or plastictherebetween. The leg members are configured to sustain a predeterminedminimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under apredetermined threshold lateral loading condition.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be readily apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes forcarrying out the present invention when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cut-away, front-view illustration of aportion of a representative motorized vehicle for practicing the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle door assembly ofFIG. 1 with an armrest assembly support bracket in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention mounted thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the armrest assembly support bracket ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a side-view illustration depicting lateral and verticalloading of the armrest assembly support bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the armrest assembly including thesupport bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an armrest assembly support bracket inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4A is a side-view illustration depicting lateral and verticalloading of the armrest assembly support bracket of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to likecomponents throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a partially cut-awayfront-view illustration of a portion of a representative motorizedvehicle, identified generally as 10, with which the present inventionmay be utilized. It should be readily understood that FIG. 1 is merelyan exemplary application by which the present invention may bepracticed. As such, the present invention is by no means limited to thevehicle configuration of FIG. 1. For example, although the vehicle 10 isdepicted in FIG. 1 as a standard passenger car, the present inventioncan be incorporated into any vehicle platform, such as, but not limitedto, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, heavy duty vehicles, minivans,buses, convertibles, etc. Finally, the drawings presented herein, i.e.,FIGS. 1 through 4A, are not to scale and are provided purely forinstructional purposes. Thus, the specific and relative dimensions shownin the drawings are not to be considered limiting.

The vehicle 10 has a vehicle body 12 including a vehicle interior, shownin part in FIG. 1 as passenger compartment 14, having one or morevehicle seat assemblies 16 therein. Each seat assembly 16 can be of anysuitable or conventional construction, but generally includes a backrestportion 18 and a lower cushion portion 20. The vehicle 10 also includesone or more door assemblies 22 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1)that are operatively secured to the vehicle body 12 in a mannersufficient to allow each vehicle door assembly 22 to transition from asubstantially closed position (as shown in FIG. 1) to a generally openposition (not shown), e.g., via vertical hinges or by a mechanical orautomated track-and-sled mechanism (not depicted herein). Anenergy-absorbing armrest assembly 30 is preferably mounted to thevehicle door assembly 22, but may also be mounted directly to a console24 located within the passenger compartment 14, to an interior panel orsubstrate, represented in FIG. 1 by vehicle interior surface 26, or anycombination thereof. The vehicle body 12 has a longitudinal axis A thatextends along the length of the vehicle body 12.

Looking at both FIGS. 1 and 2 now, the vehicle door assembly 22 alsoincludes a door trim assembly 32 mounted to a door inner panel 34adjacent the passenger compartment 14. The door inner or interior panel34 is secured e.g., by welding, clinching, or otherwise mechanicallyfastening portions of the interior panel 34, in opposing relation to adoor outer or exterior panel 36. The inner panel 34 is mounted such thatit is substantially parallel to and inboard from the door exterior panel36 to thereby operatively house a power or manually operated window pane38 therebetween.

The inner and outer door panels 34, 36 are part of the load bearingstructure of the door assembly 22. As such, each door panel 34, 36 ispreferably manufactured (e.g., punched, pressed, hydroformed, etc.) froma material known to have a suitable strength for the intended use of thevehicle door assembly 22, such as a rigid plastic polymer (e.g.,Polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA, or bulk mold compound or BMC), ametallic material (e.g., cold rolled steel, hot dipped galvanized steel,stainless steel, aluminum, and the like), or a combination thereof, andmay be finished with an anti-corrosive, highly durable coating (e.g.,zinc plating). The door inner panel 34 can be covered by a foam materialor padding 35, followed by the door trim assembly 32, which in turn ispreferably covered, for example, by a decorative cloth, leather, orvinyl 41.

The armrest assembly 30 is preferably of sufficient length and width toprovide support for most of the forearm (e.g., from the elbow to thewrist) of a vehicle occupant (not shown) immediately adjacent the doorassembly 22. The armrest assembly 30 is preferably fabricated from amaterial typical for armrests. For example, the armrest 30 is preferablymade from a plastic composite, covered by a foam material or padding,and concealed with a decorative cloth, leather, vinyl, or plastic.

Turning to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of the vehicle doorassembly 22 of FIG. 1 is illustrated therein. The armrest assembly 30includes a pull-handle or pull-cup feature 28, which, once assembled tothe door trim assembly 32, is oriented laterally inboard relative to thedoor inner panel 34 and, thus, the vehicle interior surface 26. A cavity35 is provided at a forward end of the armrest assembly 30. The cavity35 is dimensioned to receive an electrical switch assembly (or “switchpack”) of the type for actuating various vehicle electricalcomponents—e.g., for opening and closing windows, such as power windowpane 38 of FIG. 1, for locking and unlocking doors, such as vehicle doorassembly 22 of FIG. 1, and for selecting and manipulating either a left-or right-side rearview mirror (not shown) for adjustment.

The trim panel assembly 32 includes various non-load bearingsub-components. For example, a lower trim panel portion 40 is attachedto an inner surface 37 of the door interior panel 34 (by fasteners,rivets, or like elements), protruding into the passenger compartment 14(as seen in FIG. 1). The lower trim panel portion 40 may include certainoptional features, such as a lower kick-guard portion 42, an audiospeaker 44, and a pocket or cubby hole 46, FIG. 2. An upper trim panelportion 48 attaches to the interior panel 34 vertically proximate to thelower trim panel portion 40.

A trim panel mounting bracket 50 is mounted, in a generally form-fittingmanner, on an inner side (e.g., inner surface 37) of the inner panel 34(e.g., facing the passenger compartment 14 of FIG. 1) by one or morebolts. However, it is also contemplated that the mounting bracket 50 beintegrally formed to the inner surface 37 of the door inner panel 34.The mounting bracket 50 is configured to receive and mate with anarmrest assembly support bracket 60, which are both intended to belocated between the trim panel assembly 32 and the door inner panel 34.

FIG. 3 of the drawings provides a perspective view of the armrestassembly support bracket 60 of FIG. 2. The support bracket 60 includes asupport member portion 62 that is configured to mate with the armrestassembly 30 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, it is desirable that aportion 63 of the support member 62 extend adjacent to or through anopen channel or internal cavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup 28(indicated at 31 in FIG. 2) on the “b-side” of the armrest assembly 30.In a similar respect, the support member 62 is also positioned adjacentto and inside the armrest assembly 30 to support vertical loads impartedthereto (i.e., limit vertical deflection). The support member 62 ispreferably elongated longitudinally along the armrest 30 relative to thevehicle 10 in a generally horizontal manner—i.e., generally parallel toaxis A of FIG. 1.

The support bracket 60 also includes three leg members—shown in FIG. 3as first, second and third leg members 64, 66 and 68, respectively. Theleg members 64, 66, 68 are spaced apart from one another and operativelyattached at respective first ends 65, 67 and 69 to the support member62. Each leg member 64, 66, 68 extends from the support member 62 in anoblique manner (i.e., neither perpendicular nor parallel) to attach atrespective second ends 71, 73 and 75 to the vehicle interior surface,such as interior surface 26 of FIG. 1 or inner surface 37 of inner panelmember 34 of FIG. 2. For example, each leg member 64, 66, 68 preferablyextends downward from the support member 62 at an angle 70, FIG. 3A, ofless than 45 degrees from a vertical axis B extending through the secondend (i.e., 71, 73 and 75 of FIG. 3). Ideally, each of the leg members64, 66, 68 attaches to the vehicle interior surface via an attachmentportion 72, 74 and 76, respectively, extending generally vertically fromthe second end thereof 71, 73 and 75. Notably, the support bracket 60may include as few as two leg members and more than three leg members,without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

Looking now to FIG. 3A, the first, second, and third leg members 64, 66,68 are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loadingcondition (depicted in FIG. 3A for illustrative purposes by arrows F1and F2), and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateralloading condition (shown hidden in FIG. 3A for explanatory purposes byarrow F3). For example, the first, second, and third leg members 64, 66,68 provide sufficient structural rigidity for normal, quasi-staticloading purposes—i.e., to maintain at least 250 to 500 Newtons (N)vertical loading and, together with the armrest 30 andpull-handle/pull-cup feature 28, 300N horizontal loading, but willcontrollably deform or collapse under atypical or dynamic loadingscenarios—i.e., at or above a 2000N lateral crush force. In essence, thearmrest assembly support bracket 60 of the present design significantly“decouples” (i.e., makes independent or mutually exclusive) thequasi-static vertical loading (e.g., F1 and F2 of FIG. 3A) of thearmrest assembly 30 and pull-handle/pull-cup 28, FIG. 1, from thedynamic lateral loading (e.g., F3 of FIG. 3A).

Ideally, the first, second, and third leg members 64, 66, 68 create apredetermined load path for transferring vertical loads, F1, imparted tothe armrest assembly 30 and pull-handle/pull-cup 28 to the vehicleinterior surface, such as interior surface 26 of FIG. 1 or inner surface37 of inner panel member 34 of FIG. 2, as a substantially verticalforce, F2. More specifically, the leg members 64, 66, 68 of FIG. 3redirect the path (or spatial vector) of the vertical load F1, thus,redistributing load F1 to the vehicle interior surface as asubstantially vertical resultant force F2. It is also preferred that thesupport member 62 and the various leg members 64, 66, 68 each consistsof a substantially flat, elongated bar. In this regard, the material,material gauge, and section shape of the support bracket 60 can beselectively varied in order to balance the required vertical stiffnesswith the lateral stiffness.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a perspective view of anarmrest assembly support bracket 160 is shown in accordance with analternate embodiment of the present invention. The support bracket 160includes a support member (or longitudinal portion) 162 that isconfigured to mate with the armrest assembly 30 of FIGS. 1 and 2.Specifically, it is desirable that a portion 163 of the support member162 of FIG. 4 extend adjacent to or through the open channel or internalcavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup 28 (indicated at 31 in FIG. 2) on the“b-side” of the armrest assembly 30. The support member 162 ispreferably elongated longitudinally along the armrest 30 relative to thevehicle 10 in a generally horizontal manner—i.e., generally parallel toaxis A of FIG. 1.

The support bracket 160 of FIG. 4 includes at least two, but preferablythree leg members—shown in FIG. 4 as first, second and third leg members164, 166 and 168, respectively. The leg members 164, 166, 168 are spacedapart from one another and operatively attached at respective first ends165, 167 and 169 to the support member 162. Each leg member 164, 166,168 extends downward from the support member 162 in a vertical manner toattach to an oblique leg member portion 178, 180, 182 at common ends181, 183 and 185, respectively. Each oblique leg member 178, 180, 182attaches at a respective second end 171, 173 and 175 to the vehicleinterior surface, such as interior surface 26 of FIG. 1 or inner surface37 of inner panel member 34 of FIG. 2. Ideally, each of the oblique legmembers 178, 180, 182 attaches to the vehicle interior surface via anattachment portion 172, 174 and 176, respectively, extending generallyvertically from the second end thereof 171, 173 and 175. According tothe embodiment of FIG. 4, each of the leg member combinations 164, 178,172; 166, 180, 174; and 168, 182, 176 form or define a “J-hook” shape.

Looking now to FIG. 4A, the first, second, and third leg membercombinations 164, 178; 166, 180; and 168, 182 are configured to sustaina predetermined minimum vertical loading condition (depicted in FIG. 4Afor illustrative purposes by arrows F1 and F2), and controllably deformunder a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition (shown hiddenin FIG. 4A for explanatory purposes by arrow F3). For example, thefirst, second, and third leg member combinations 164, 178; 166, 180; and168, 182 provide sufficient structural rigidity for normal, quasi-staticloading purposes—i.e., to maintain at least 250 to 500 Newtons (N)vertical loading and, together with the armrest assembly 30 andpull-handle/pull-cup 28, 300N horizontal loading, but will controllablydeform or collapse under atypical or dynamic loading scenarios—i.e., ator above a 2000N lateral crush force. In essence, the armrest assemblysupport bracket 160 of the present design significantly “decouples”(i.e., makes independent or mutually exclusive) the quasi-staticvertical loading (e.g., F1 and F2 of FIG. 4A) of the armrest assembly 30and pull-handle/pull-cup 28 from the dynamic lateral loading (e.g., F3of FIG. 4A).

According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first, second, and third legmember combinations 164, 178; 166, 180; and 168, 182 create apredetermined load path for transferring vertical loads, F1, imparted tothe armrest assembly 30 and pull-handle/pull-cup 28 to the vehicleinterior surface, such as interior surface 26 of FIG. 1 or inner surface37 of inner panel member 34 of FIG. 2, as a substantially verticalforce, F2. More specifically, the leg member combinations 164, 178; 166,180; and 168, 182 of FIG. 4 redirect the path (or spatial vector) of thevertical load F1, thus, redistributing load F1 to the vehicle interiorsurface as a substantially vertical resultant force F2. It is alsopreferred that the support member 162 and the various leg membercombinations 164, 178; 166, 180; and 168, 182 each consists of asubstantially flat, elongated bar. In this regard, the material,material gauge, and section shape of the support bracket 160 can beselectively varied in order to balance the required vertical stiffnesswith the lateral stiffness.

While the best modes for carrying out the present invention have beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A support bracket for an armrest assembly in a motorized vehicle having an interior surface, the armrest assembly having at least one of a pull-handle and a pull-cup defining an internal cavity therein, comprising: a support member configured to mate with the armrest assembly; a first and a second leg member, each operatively attached at a first end to said support member and extending downward therefrom to attach at a second end to the vehicle interior surface; wherein at least a portion of each of said first and second leg members is oblique to said support member; wherein each of said first and second leg members is operatively attachable to the vehicle interior surface via an attachment portion extending generally vertically from said second end; wherein each of said first and second leg members form a J-hook shape between said first and second ends; and said second leg member is spaced longitudinally from said first leg member; wherein said first and second leg members are operatively configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition.
 2. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said support member is disposed in the internal cavity of the at least one pull-handle and pull-cup.
 3. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein the support bracket is elongated longitudinally along the interior surface relative to the vehicle in a generally horizontal manner.
 4. The support bracket of claim 1, further comprising: a third leg member spaced from said first and second leg members and operatively attached at a first end to said support member and extending downward therefrom in an oblique manner to attach at a second end to the vehicle interior surface; wherein said third leg member is operatively configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition.
 5. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein said first and second leg members extend downward from said support member at an angle of less than 45 degrees from a vertical axis extending through said second ends.
 6. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein said first and second leg members are configured to create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantially vertical force.
 7. The support bracket of claim 1, wherein said support member and said first and second leg members each consists essentially of a substantially flat elongated metallic bar.
 8. A door assembly operatively attached to a body of a motorized vehicle to selectively transition from a substantially closed position to a generally open position, the door assembly comprising: an inner support panel; a trim panel operatively attached to said inner support panel; an armrest assembly elongated longitudinally along said trim panel relative to the vehicle and extending inward therefrom, said armrest assembly having a pull-handle defining an internal cavity therein; and a support bracket including: a generally horizontal support member disposed at least in part in said internal cavity of said pull-handle; at least three leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at a respective first end to said support member and extending downward therefrom to attach at a respective second end to said inner support panel; wherein at least a portion of each of said at least three leg members is oblique to said support member; wherein each of said at least three leg members extends downward from said support member at an angle of less than 45 degrees from a vertical axis extending through said respective second ends; wherein each of said at least three leg members is operatively attachable to said inner support panel via an attachment portion extending generally vertically from said respective second ends; wherein each of said at least three leg members forms a J-hook shape between said first and second ends; and wherein said leg members are operatively configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition.
 9. The door assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least three leg members are sufficiently spaced apart from one another to receive a layer of foam or plastic therebetween.
 10. The door assembly of claim 9, wherein said support member and said at least three leg members each consists essentially of a substantially flat elongated metallic bar.
 11. The door assembly of claim 9, wherein said at least three leg members are configured to create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to said armrest assembly to said inner support panel as a substantially vertical force.
 12. A motorized vehicle having vehicle structure, comprising: a door assembly operatively attached to the vehicle structure to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position, said door assembly including an inner support panel with a trim panel operatively attached thereto; an armrest assembly operatively attached to said door assembly trim panel and extending inward therefrom, said armrest assembly having a pull handle defining an internal cavity therein; and a support bracket including: a generally horizontal support member configured to be disposed at least in part in said internal cavity of said pull handle; first, second, and third leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at a respective first end to said support member and extending downward therefrom to attach at a respective second end to said inner support panel; wherein at least a portion of each of said first, second and third leg members is oblique to said support member; wherein each of said leg members is operatively attachable to said inner support panel via an attachment portion extending generally vertically from said respective second ends; wherein each of said leg members forms a J-hook shape between said respective first and second ends; and wherein said leg members are operatively configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition.
 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said first, second, and third leg members are sufficiently spaced apart from one another to receive a layer of foam or plastic therebetween. 